“For sixteen years, Taka’s Sushi has been a mainstay for quality sushi and Japanese food in Fair Oaks,” Watanabe wrote in a Facebook post. “Throughout this time, the Taka’s family has greatly enjoyed serving delicious meals to our faithful patrons, many of whom have been supporting us since the very beginning.”

The chef posted the news about Taka’s Sushi, 11773 Fair Oaks Blvd., at 10:41 p.m. Wednesday, and about 30 patrons had responded with dismay by Friday morning. One of them was Sonja Tollefsen, who wrote: “This is terribly sad news for suburbia. Taka’s was one of the few quality restaurants left out in this area.”

Watanabe isn’t leaving the restaurant business. He just completed an update at Ju Hachi, 1730 S St., in Sacramento, the restaurant he opened 20 years ago. He talked to me just before that work was done.

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“Customers get bored,” he said. “I have a lot of competition, so I want to change up the ambiance a little bit.”

A ramen restaurant and a poke bar have opened about a block from Ju Hachi within the last few years, but Watanabe said the competition is growing for all different types of food. There will be slight additions to the menu on appetizers, Watanabe said, but customers can expect the price points they have come to expect.